About This Role
Bighorn Airways, Inc. is recruiting experienced pilots for full-time seasonal employment during the 2027 smokejumper season. Based in Sheridan, Wyoming, the role supports U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management contracts throughout the Lower 48 and Alaska. Flying involves transporting and dropping smokejumpers, low-level para-cargo delivery, and IFR point-to-point operations, including large-aircraft operations at slow airspeeds in mountainous terrain and changing weather. Pilots must bring sound judgment, effective crew coordination, and substantial low-level experience, with the ability to work professionally with others during extended assignments in remote locations. Agricultural aviation experience is preferred.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Operate aircraft in support of U.S.
- Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management smokejumper contracts in the Lower 48 and Alaska.
- Transport and drop smokejumpers into remote locations, conduct low-level para-cargo drops, and perform point-to-point flights under IFR.
- Operate large aircraft at slow airspeeds in mountainous terrain and challenging, changing weather conditions.
- Maintain sound operational judgment, situational awareness, clear communication, and effective crew coordination while working with colleagues and customers during extended remote assignments and adapting to changing schedules, locations, and operating conditions.
What We Offer
Bighorn Airways advertises excellent pay, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, and supplemental insurance options.No specific pay amount is stated.
Requirements
- Applicants must hold an ATP certificate or have completed the ATP written examination. Minimum experience consists of 5,000 hours total flight time
- 2,000 hours in airplanes
- 500 hours multi-engine
- 100 hours PIC at night
- 75 hours PIC instrument
- 1,000 hours PIC cross-country
- 250 hours PIC in large aircraft over 12,500 pounds
- 500 hours PIC turboprop
- 200 hours of low-level flight below 500 feet AGL
- 500 hours in mountainous terrain below 2,500 feet AGL
- and 100 hours in airplanes within the preceding 12 months. Candidates should demonstrate a safety-first approach, sound judgment, situational awareness, effective crew coordination, clear communication, strong customer-service skills, and a positive, professional attitude. They must be comfortable working with others on extended remote assignments and adapting to changes in schedules, locations, and operating conditions. Agricultural aviation experience is preferred. Applicants should submit a resume clearly detailing total flight time, PIC time, aircraft experience, low-level experience, mountain-flying experience, and flight activity during the past 12 months. Employment is subject to verification of certificates, ratings, flight experience, recency, and applicable company, customer, FAA, and contract requirements. The position is subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing.